Washington Democrats are readying for the next step in the presidential election process: Casting the state’s 12 votes in the Electoral College.
The ceremonial vote will be held in Olympia on Dec. 17. Central Washington’s 4th Congressional District will be represented by district vice-chairman and Kennewick attorney George Fearing.
Fearing, who ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, in 2008, was chosen by fellow Democrats during the campaign season to be an elector. Fearing also attended the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., as a delegate.
In the winner-take-all system, Washington state’s electoral votes have gone to the Democratic presidential candidate in every every election since 1988. The last Republican to receive the state’s electoral votes was Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Presidential candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to declare victory in an election. President Obama is projected to receive 332 electoral votes after winning the Nov. 6 general election.
Contact Mike Faulk at 509-577-7675 or mfaulk@yakimaherald.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/Mike_Faulk.